Raya Names Neuer, Courtois, Buffon, Casillas Greatest
The Arsenal goalkeeper chose four all-time greats in a rapid-fire GOAL FanZone question-and-answer session.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Soccer
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya named Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas as his all-time greatest goalkeepers during a GOAL FanZone session. Raya made his debut in the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11, a selection chosen by 10,278 professionals.
Why it matters
Raya's choices reflect the reputations of goalkeepers who have set benchmarks across generations, and his own 2026 selection marks a first place in the FIFPRO Men's World 11. The list also highlights the role players' votes play in recognizing the position's standouts.
The FIFPRO Men's World 11 vote drew 10,278 professionals, and only ten goalkeepers have made the side since its 2005 inception. Iker Casillas has five selections, Manuel Neuer four, and Gianluigi Buffon has featured across ten FIFPRO world shortlists.
The players
David Raya
Arsenal goalkeeper who was selected for the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11 and named four all-time greats during the GOAL FanZone session.
Manuel Neuer
German goalkeeper with four FIFPRO World 11 inclusions, long associated with Bayern Munich and regarded as one of the most influential goalkeepers of his generation.
Thibaut Courtois
Belgian goalkeeper who plays for Real Madrid and is named among Raya's all-time greatest goalkeepers.
Gianluigi Buffon
Italian goalkeeper who featured across ten FIFPRO world shortlists and is widely regarded as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history, with a long career at Juventus.
Iker Casillas
Spanish goalkeeper with five FIFPRO World 11 selections, among only ten goalkeepers ever chosen for the team since its 2005 inception.
The details
During a rapid-fire question-and-answer session on GOAL FanZone, Raya was challenged to name four all-time greatest goalkeepers and answered with Neuer, Courtois, Buffon and Casillas in a single response without hesitation. Courtois plays for Real Madrid, while Neuer, Buffon and Casillas are linked to Bayern Munich, Juventus and the goalkeeping legacy of their respective careers.
Timeline
2026: Raya is selected for the FIFPRO Men's World 11, his debut in the team.
Season Trajectory
Only ten goalkeepers have made the FIFPRO Men's World 11 since its 2005 inception, a small group that Raya joins with his 2026 debut selection. His choice of Neuer, Courtois, Buffon and Casillas reflects the benchmark goalkeepers who set the standard for the position in that same period.
Raya's 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11 selection is a concrete recognition of his standing among professional peers. Fantasy managers and football fans tracking goalkeeper rankings can note that only ten goalkeepers have ever made the side since 2005.
The takeaway
Goalkeeper legacies are measured against a small set of names, and Raya's answer shows how the sport's most-decorated keepers remain the reference point for the position. His debut selection adds a new entry to a short historical list.
Further reading
For more on the players and competitions behind this story, browse the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Goal.
